Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation • Hacker News Board

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#61

Post by andrewljohnson » Sat, Mar 14, 2020, 7:08 PM UTC

ColanR wrote: post #59

andrewljohnson wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This seems like a myopic view, like you fell in love with a backpack and built a worldview around it. Modern backpacking gear is extremely light, resilient, and comfortable. You can get packs that ventilate your back. The canvas isn’t really any protection at all from being thrown off a cliff, but a pack filled with soft stuff is. And the external frame is totally unnecessary if your pack weighs 20 total pounds becau…

Here's the difference I see: the gear the parent is carrying could last year in the wilderness, without reconnecting to civilization. Same goes for the Europeans colonizing the Americas. Your 20lbs of 'high end gear' lasts until it breaks, and then you're back to the store because you can't repair it. I grew up camping, and I know how awesome the modern tech is. I also know that most people who use it can't go withou…

Yes, I can and have repaired my sleeping bags. My pocket rocket stove is very sturdy and has a sturdy plastic case, and we’ve had it for 14+ years. And I think I’d be fine in the forest without a stove, but honestly if I ran out of food I might not last long... I’m not a survivalist.

FWIW, I’d also keep using a pack I liked. But the takeaway shouldn’t be people should buy old fashioned backpacks... they mostly suck compared to modern packs.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#62

Post by arethuza » Sun, Mar 15, 2020, 8:38 AM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #53

superhuzza wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if you can, why would you? There's a reason thru-hikers ruthlessly cut back their carrying weight - because you don't actually need that much stuff and it's a literal burden to bear. 75 lbs is almost half my body weight, carrying an extra half-me around is absurd.

> Even if you can, why would you? It's always a trade-off. You can take less equipment with you but be less effective when you get to wherever you're going, or you can take more equipment but have a harder time getting there. You may simply be doing that something that requires 20 kg + of equipment when you get there, so not much much of a choice. Weapon systems, communication systems, climbing gear, oxygen, tools, w…

The original comment was someone talking about backpacking and 75 pounds is very heavy for a backpacking (which is supposed to be fun after all) - even for extended (over a week) backpacking trips in winter (ice-axe, crampons etc.) I'd be surprised if my pack was half that weight.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#63

Post by evilolive » Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 5:37 AM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #54

superhuzza wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assume he's getting water along the way and filtering it, not bringing his water for 6 days. I don't think many people hike out with almost a week's worth of water vs. finding water sources.

Ok but it's not always possible to resupply like that, hence why someone may be carrying more.

yes filtering water along the way. I doubt you can carry six days of water in an environment that's so dry you need to carry everything